In urging the state government to make it a priority to tackle the various problems, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said: “I would like to highlight the floods that often hit Selangor and make life difficult for the people. Short, medium and long-term plans must be implemented immediately.”

The sultan’s remarks were made after presenting letters of appointment to members of the incoming menteri besar and his state executive council.

Sultan Sharafuddin said Selangor could not take pride in achieving rapid economic progress, reaching the status of a rich state, and recording the highest GDP in Malaysia, if the basic needs of the people are not well met.

“Are we aware that Selangor has recently fallen behind Penang, Johor and even Sarawak in terms of investment and export value of goods?” the ruler said. “Perhaps we have not noticed this lag and have failed to overcome it.”

He added that action must be taken to prevent further damage to Selangor’s reputation as a major contributor to the Malaysian economy.

He also hoped that all newly-elected state assemblymen would do their job well by checking on the status of planned and ongoing development.

Sultan Sharafuddin said his hope and dream, as he turns 78 this year, was for Selangor to rise again, and be developed in every way, including physical and spiritual development and sustainable economic growth, as well as unity among all the people, living in peace, harmony, comfort and lasting prosperity.